A 
SERMON 


DELIVERED AT THE ORDINATION 


OF THE > 


REV. JOHN W. ELLINGWOOD, 


AT BATH, (ME.) Nov. 4, 1812. 


REV. JACOB IDE, 


AT MEDWAY, Nov. 2, 1814. 


AND 


REV. WILLIAM EATON, 


At Fircusocren, Avetst 30, 1815. 


BY LEONARD wdons, D.D. 
Abbot Professor of Christian Theology m the Theological Seminary, Andover. 


—~— 
SECOND EDITION, 


— 


EXETER: « 
PRINTED FOR JOSIAH RICHARDSON, DEFENDER OF THE FAITH. 


Samuel T. Moses, printer. 
t 


1823. | 


Pamphlet Collection Be 4 * 
Duke Divinity School Be iN 


HYMN. 


The Apostle’s commission ; or, the gospel altested by miracles. 
Mark xvi. 15, &e. Matt. xxviii, 18, &c. 


1“ Go, preach my gospel,” saith the Lord ; 
« Bid the whole earth my grace receive ; : 
He shall be sav’d that trusts my word ; 

He shall be damn’d that won’t believe. 


2 [Pll make your great commission known, 
And ye shall prove my gospel true, 
By all the works that I have done, 
By al! the wonders ye shall do. 


3 Go heal the sick, go raise the dead, 
Go cast out devils in my. name ; 
Nor let my prophets be afraid, 
Though Greeks reproach, and Jews blaspheme. 


4 Teach all the nations my commands ; 
I’m with you till the world shall end ; 
_ All power is trusted in my hands ; 
I can destroy, and I defend.” 


5 He spake, and light shone round his heads 
On a bright cloud to heav’n he rode: 
They to the farthest nations spread 
The grace of their ascended God. 


THE IMPORTANCE OF MEEKNESS AND GENTLENESS IN A MIN- 
; (4;  ISTER OF THE GOSPEL. 


SERMON. 


2 Tr. ii. 24, 25. 


The servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle 
unto all men, apt to teach, patient ; inmeckness instruc- 
ting those that oppose themselves. 


I micur easily select a part of the ministerial charac- 
ter more important in the general estimation, than what is 
here presented, I might descant on virtues,. which are 
deemed more sublime, and on duties more splendid, and 
more attractive of popular applause. But nothing can be 
named, in which a gospel minister‘ more manifestly bears 
the resemblance of Christ, than the spirit of meekness and 
gentleness. As this spirit is to pervade all his affections 
and all his conduct, it is of extensive and constant utility. 
But my principal reason for introducing this subject is, 
that it has been treated less frequently, than most other 
subjects which pertain to the pastoral office, and as ] have 
thought, less frequently than its nature demands. — 

The simple point to which I shall direct your attention 
in the following discourse, is, the peculiar importance of 
MEEKNESS and GENTLENESS ina minister of the gospel. 

In order to illustrate this point, I observe, in the first 
place, that the spirit of christian meexkness and gentleness 
a pe hy to qualify a minister for the various duties of 

ts offic 

It a to prepare him for the study of the Holy 
Scriptures. This is suggested by an Apostle; ‘‘ Where- 
fore lay aside all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, 


4 


. 

and. receive with meekness the ingrafted word.” ‘The — 
predominance of those sinful passions, which are contrary 
to meekness, totally disqualifies a minister for reading 
and meditation. It blinds the eyes of his understanding, 
gives a wrong bias to his judgment, and exposes him to , 
every kind of error. What confidence can his people 
have in the conclusions to which he is ¢onducted, while 
under the influence of pride, anger, or any disorderly af- 
fection ? But under the influence of meekness, he is pre- 
pared for profitable study. He is sensible of the limita- 
tions of his mind, and the necessity or being taught of the 
Spirit. He earnestly desires to be guided into the truth, 
and is ready to submit unreservedly to the infallible word 
of God. All his prepossessions,—all the results of un~ 
sanctified reason he is willing to yield, and to believe 
every revealed truth on the authority of inspiration. With 
a docile temper, kneeling before God, -he says, “ Speak, 
Lord, for thy servant heareth.” His faith receives every 
doctrine of the Bible, because God, who cannot lie, has 
declared it: Time spent by a minister. in search of divine 
truth with such a dispositton, will not be spent in vain. 
"The God of truth will be his teacher. ‘ The meek will 
he guide in judgment, and the meek will he teach his, 
way.” of ED art 
Meekness and gentleness are absolutely necessary to, 
prepare a minister to teachthe CHRISTIAN RELIGION and 
perform other pastoral duties, with propriety, acceptance, 
and success. 

The christian religion is a religion of Jove. It breathes 
peace on earth, and good will to men. A minister, who 
possesses the virtues recommended in the text, imbibes 
the spirit of this religion, and 1s prepared to teach its doc: 
trine and duties with propriety. But how can aman 
preach the gospel, without a meek and gentle spirit ? 
With what propriety can he exhort others “ toput on 
_ bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meek- 
ness, longsuflering, forbearing one another and forgiving 
one another,” while it is obvious that, in all these lovely 
graces, he is wanting? What incongruity, in Gr. Viren 
upon others to embrace a religion, which inculcates the 
temper of the /amé, while he himself shows the temper of 
the tiger? Without a mild, affectionate disposition, 


ae — 


5 


whatever else he may possess, he is obviously unqualified 
for preaching the gospel of peace. There is a total repug- 
nancy between his office and his character. His disqualt- 
fication is radical, and cannot be compensated by any lit- 
erary attainment, by any stock of theological knowledge, 
nor by any decency or refinement of manners. 

' Meekness and gentleness are necessary to a preacher’s 
acceptance. I mean not to suggest, that the most amia- 
ble, attractive manner of exhibiting the truth would re- 
concile the unsanctified heart to it, or cause the offence 
of the cross to cease. But the preacher, who complies 
with the apostle’s direction now before us, has nothing 
offensive in his manner ; and any opposition made against 
him is excited purely by the holy nature of the truth itself, 
and not by any thing exceptionable in Aim, as a preacher. 
He will indeed love the truth, and earnestly contend for it. 
Nor will he be deterred, by fear of man, or love of popu- 
larity, from preaching any doctrine or duty taught in the 
scriptures. He supports the truth by the strongest argu- 
ments, and exposes the inconsistency and turpitude of er- 
ror in the clearest manner possible. But in the defence 
of the truth he is careful never to enlist his angry passions. 
His tongue is never heard to utter invectives against oth- 
ers, however they may differ in opinion. Nor is he trans-’ 
ported to undue severities, either of language or feeling, 
against those, who Joad him with the greatest reproach- 
es and injuries. The only methods, which he employs 
to bring men to the knowledge of the truth, are those 
which are dictated by reason, by compassion, by gentle- 
ness. Let a minister preach thus, and his enemies will 
be at peace with him. At least they will be in the condi- 
tion of those enemies of the prophet Daniel, who, with 
all the vigilance of malice and revenge, could find no oc- 
casion against him, except concerning the law of his God. 

Meekness and gentleness are peculiarly important to a 
preacher’s success. ‘*’Vhe wrath of man worketh not 
the righteousness of God.” Acrimonious feelings and 
expressions are not the instruments, by which the cause 
of righteousness. is to be promoted. A minister is indeed 
engaged in a warfare; and he must contend and fight m. 
order to|his success. But what is the nature of this war- 
fare 2. What is this contention, but a contention against 


6 


the disorderly affections cf human nature? Now with 
what weapons will you carry on such a warfare as this? 
Is a minister to use anger and violence, to subdue anger 
and violence in others? Mahometan weapons have in- 
deed been successful in promoting the Mahometan relig- 
ion. But have they ever promoted the cause of Curist ?. 
All the doctrines of the Bible, it is agreed, are to be 
taught. ‘The question is, in what manmer? ‘Theapostle 
answers; and in his answer tells us, in the name of God, 
how we can most successfully preach the gospel. ‘* The 
servant of the Lord must not strive, but be gentle unto all 
men, apt to teach, patient, in meekness instructing those: 
that oppose themselves.” A minister, who follows this 
direction, has the brightest prospect of success. Truth, 
addressed to men in this manner, is most likely to gain 
their impartial attention, to satisfy their reason, and to 
find its way to their hearts. Every one must perceive, 
that this manner of teaching corresponds with the nature 
of divine truth. | The incomprehensible greatness and 
perfect holiness of the subjects of the christian revelation. 
require, that they should be treated with sacred composure 
and gentleness of mind. The least mixture of passion is) 
inadmissible. Will you treat the holy and benevolent 
God, the condescending and merciful Redeemer, and) 
the Spirit of all grace, as the worshippers of Baal treated 
their dead idol? Can you excite Jove by the language of 
il will? Can vou attract men to a heaven of peace, by 
displaying a spirit of strife ?—-to a heaven of kindness, 
by a spirit of virulence 2? Can you successfully inculcate 
condescension, forgiveness, and compassion, by display- 
ing pride, revenge, and hardness of heart ? Can we per- 
suade our hearers to govern their passions, by showing 
them that we do not govern our own ? nee 
A minister of the gospel is taught from above. He re-. 
ceives his doctrine, not from man, but from God. These 
instructions of God, he ought to receive with a meek and 
lowly disposition, With the same disposition he ought 
to teach them, Otherwise it will not appear, that he is. 
teaching truths, which came from God. For who can 
suppose, that truths, coming directly from the Most High 
God, will be received and communicated by his minister. 
with any other, than a meek and gentle spirit?) Ifan 


7 


assembly see the christian revelation handled with vioe- 
lence,—what good can be done? Of what use will it be 
for them to be made to shake by the tremendous force of 
the preacher’s voice, while they feel no humble reverence 
for the holiness and authority of Jehovah? Whatever 
effect may be produced by a spirit of acrimony and vio- . 
lence in a preacher, it is not the success which the gospel 
aims at. ‘The success of a minister consists in conform. 
ing the hearts and lives of men to the character of Christ, 
and fitting them for the heavenly inheritance. His use- 
fulness is to be measured by the degree, in which he 
promotes true religion. But if he is destitute of meek- 
ness, what reason is there to expect he will promote reli- 
gion? He may have burning zeal, and do much seeming- 
ly for the conversion of sinners. But who will reward us 
for converting men from stupidity to animusity ?—for 
rousing them from s/eep to dite and devour? A minister 
of a rough and violent spirit may build up his church; 
but the members composing it will, in all probability, be 
stamped with his likeness. You will see them unkind, 
wrathful, contentious. Even real Christians, in this case, 
are formed under such a pernicious influence, that their 
religion will be wretchedly debased by heterogeneous 
mixtures. Reposing confidence in their teacher, they 
consider not only his doctrine, but whatever appears in 
his disposition and manners, as authorized by his religion. 
Thus the deformity of theiz character is, in a measure, 
attributable to the wrong spirit of their minister ; especial- 
ly if he isa liar, a brawler, a railer, an evil speaker, a tat- 
ler, a busy body in other men’s matters, or a retailer of 
other men’s lies or evil speeches, in any of those manners 
above mentioned ; or if he be in practice of sinful insinu- 
ations, which are cruel; or if he speak great swelling 
words, or cankery words, that eat as doth a canker. 

T have now touched upon a very interesting point. To 
be useful, a minister must be exemplary. The example 
of one, who possesses a right temper, is of mighty effica- 
cy in forming the minds of Christians.. They look to him 
as a pattern, and receive their particular cast of character 
from what they see in Aim, His sweet and lovely spirit 
diffuses itself among the followers of Christ, and promotes 
loye, joy, and peace. His example makes an impression 


8 


on all beholders. It manifestly rises above the best at- 
tainments of human nature. It shows the power of God, 
and is a distinguished honor to his infinite grace. 

But a minister has other duties to perform. He must 
visit from house to house ; and converse with his people 
in private. He must seek access to them at all times, 
and administer counsel, reproof, and consolation, as their 
circumstances require. In the performance of all these 
duties, the disposition, which I have been recommending, 
is unspeakably important. It will allure his people to 
attend to his instructions. As he assumes no airs of 
haughty superiority, and teaches as though he taught them 
not; as he governs his own passions, and is always pa- 
tient and kind; they will freely disclose to him all their 
difficulties, and, with a candid, teachable temper, ask his. 
counsel. They will ever be disposed, to acknowledge 
. their obligations, and to give him higher honor than he 
claims. ‘The gentleness of his disposition renders even his 
reproofs acceptable. ‘Think you, that a minister has been © 
faithful, when he has barely told a man his fault? With 
what temper has he done it? Ifyou regard his success, 
this is a question of great importance. Who among hu- 
man beings can take offence ; whose heart is hard enough 
not to be affected, when a minister of the gospel goes to 
him, and, with voice and looks full of tenderness, hons 
estly tells him what he has done amiss, and announces to 
him, not the resentment of a man, but the displeasure of 
God? . 

A minister, adorned with a meck and quiet spirit, may 
be extensively useful in composing disagreements and pre- 
venting strife. This is the man to heal wounds, to calm 
commotions, and extinguish fires. But what can one of — 
an opposite temper do? Can wounds be healed with his 
scourge? Can his blustering quell a rising storm? Will 
you send a firebrand to put out a flame ? aim ae 

But do not mistake me. I mean not to exalt meekness 
at the expense of other virtues. * In fact, it is not at vari- 
ance with them, and never would have been thought so, — 
had not the nature of the one or the other been misunder- — 
stood. Meckness is not only compatible with other vir- 
tues, but is their support and ornament. On this. Ja- 
tion rests all true deciston of character. Where meekness . 


9 


is wanting, you may easily find the stiffness of a bigot; 
‘and the surliness of a cynic; but the decision of a man 
and a Christian you cannot find. © The apostle Paul was 
distinguished for meekness. He was as gentle, as a tend- 
er mother towards her children. No man ever had more 
pliabilty, than he, who became @l/ things to all men. His 
passions were under such controul, that no reproach or | 
suffering could ruffle them. And yet, where will you look 
for such firmness? In Jesus, the Captain of our salva- 
tion, this combination of virtues was perfect. Meekness 
and gentleness were diffused through all his words and 
actions: And yet his firmness was immoveable. é 

The same consistency appears between meekness and 
zeal. Meeknéss tempers the ardor of zeal, but never ex- 
tinguishes it. Nor does meekness in the least diminish 
the influence of zeal; but, on the contrary, by directing 
its operations, and preventing its irregularities, gives it 
the highest possible efficacy, _ 

Meckness is a powerful aid to ministerial fidelity, 
Harshness of temper throws a thousand obstacles in a 
minister’s way. It involves him in endless difficulties. 
It creates enemies. It exposes him to perpetual war, and ~ 
arms the very elements against him. From these difficul- 
ties a minister is preserved by the spirit of meekness and 
gentleness. - This diminishes the number and hostility of 
his opposers. It clears his way of obstacles; and rend- 
ers his duty practicable and easy. No minister is so like: 
ly to. preach the truths of revelation with persevering fidel- 
ity, as he who preaches them in the spirit of love and 
meekness. ‘This will make him bold to declare all the 
counsel of God and to reprove wickedness, when violent 
men ate, by want of influence, compelled to a timid si- 
lence. A minister, who is governed by meekness, and 
has the quiet possession of his own mind, is unmoved by 
dangers, at which turbulent spirits tremble. He calmly 
bears reproaches and encounters trials, by which they are 
disheartened, and sunk. This leads me, 

In the second place, to illustrate the importance of. 
ehristian meekness by its happy effects on a minister’s sit- 
uation and enjoyments. Although it is sometimes consid- 
ered a very feeble, inactive virtue ; it does, in fact, impart 
to a minister who possesses it, the highest degree of en- 

2 


> 


10 


ergy, and afford him absolute security against the powe 
of kis enemies. Let them be ever so numerous, and their 
wrath and subtilty ever so great ; the victory will, oe hi s. 
But be it remembered, that his victory is not obtaine 
worldly weapons. It comes neither by force, nor.| by terror 
It is the victory of wisdom over folly, of sober rea. des 
passion, of religion over impiety. This honor belongs 
to évery minister, who follows the meek and lowly J : 
By governing his own ‘spirit; by returning good Aaes 
and bléssing for cursing; by treating his opposers with 
moderation and kindness, he discovers a. greatness of 
mind, which often melts or confounds them, and is ‘always 
noticed with esteem by impartial spectators. Besides this, 
he obtains a. victory, which the world seldom beholds, 
bu. which the wise man esteems above all others—vietory 
over himself. 


< His warfare is within. ‘There unfatigued, i 
“His fervent spirit labors. There he fights, fas ioe ‘s 
«‘ And there obtains fresh triumphs o’er himself, _ 


oy 
beg! 
“ And never withering wreathes, compared to which, 
« The laurels thata Cesar reaps are weeds.” 
Sith wer’ ye 


Meckness preserves a minister from the unhay 
contention. Whatever others do, he will note ; 
will not participate in the disturbance of the world around 
him. He is often like a man, who from his own 
treat, beholds or hears’ at a distance the tumult of battle. 
While others are suffering the wretchedness of envying 
and strife ; he enjoys the pleasure of a serene and peace. 
ful mind, And he enjoys the additional pleasure betas 
ing serenity and joy diffused among all around him. © 

The value of sucha temper it is impossible ig 
The world is full of disorder; and no man is exposed to 
see more of it, or to'be more affected by it, than a minis | 
ter of the gospel. He must have trials. How delig 
soever his prospect at the beginning, difficulty” lies before 

him. The day may open with a clear sky ; but dark and 

stormy clouds will appear before night. If a mimiste 
faithfully preach the religion of Christ, and live agcord- 
ingly he must encounter ws dyn in ‘some form or 


I} ; 


other. He eannot escape. But amidstéall his troubles, 
the spirit of meekness enables him to keep peace within. 
Others are agitated ; but he is composed. Others, stims 
ulated by the malevolence of their hearts, may load him 
and his doctrine with ignominy. But fe is gentle and pas 
tient. The tranquillity of his mind is ruffled by no irreg- 
ular passion. No resentful or envious thought corrodes 
his heart. No anger, sullenness, or discontent lies festers 
ing there. The sweetness and lenity of his disposition 
forever preserve him from pains and tortures like these, 
and secure to him an inward. serenity, which no wind or 
tempest can destroy. My brethren, the earch cannot offer 
a blessing comparable to this. 

Finally, consider the importance of the virtue enjomed 
in my text, as ét is in @ special manner necessary to as- 
similate ministers to the great Shepherd and Bishop of 
souls. He is their standard. They can aim at no higher 
point of excellence, than imitation of his charaeter. Fix 
your eyes then, steadily upon your Lord and Master.— 
He was meek and lowly in heart. The spirit of the 
dove pervaded his whole character and life. He indeed 
exhibited the emotion of enger ; but his anger was under 
perfect control, and never had the least mixture of bits 
terness, or revenge.* It was holy displeasure against 
sin, springing from a pure and benevolent heart. Atten- 
tively survey his whole conduct. See the lovely meek, 
ness he showed on every trying occasion. He never ina 
single instance uttered a harsh expression against any of 
his opposers; but used calm resoning and friendly ex~- 
postulation. He employed no violent methods to refute. 
their false charges; but endeavoured by soft answers to | 
convince and reform them. When the Jews accused him 
of blasphemy because he pardoned a paralytic; how 
gentle and convincing was his reply ! When the Phar-. 
isees reproached him with undue familiarity with sinners, 
because he ate and conversed with them ; he reminded. 
them of the design of his advent, and how much those 
poor sinners needed his instruction and gr <e. When, 
upon his healing a demoniac, they maliciously accused. 
him of a confedracy with the devil; he attempted, with, 
perfect mildness, though with great force of argument, to 


* Nore. For several thoughts and modes of expression, the writes of this sermon is 
indebted to a discourse of Dr. Evans on méekness 


12 


show them the absurdity of such a cavil, and solemnly 
warned them of the guilt and danger of their conduct. 
When, on another occasion, some .of his hearers were s 
enraged at His faithful preaching, that they took up stones ~ 
to stone him; in the most gentle, most affecting manner 
he said to them ; ‘‘ Many good works have I showed you 
from my Father; for which of those works do ye stone 
me ?”?——Near the close of his ministry his trials were still — 
greater, and his meekness and gentleness still more re- 
markably displayed. When Judas came out with his 
band of ruffians, to betray him into the hands of the rulers ; 
Jesus treated him,—he treated even Judas with the most 
amiable lenity.x——‘“ Friend, wherefore art thou come ? 
Betrayest thou. the son of man with a kiss ?”” No werds 
can set forth his meekness, when he stood before the un- 
righteous rulers. He was abused, insulted, reproached, 
tortured, and condemned, But the Lamb of God, though 
possessed of power to crush his enemies in a moment, bore 
it alh with silent patience! When they finished the work 
of malice and cruelty, and nailed him to the cross; no e- 
motion of illwill was excited in his breast; but with m- 
describable mildness and tenderness he said, “ Father, for-  < 
give them, for they know not what they do.” = 
_ My dear brother, behold your pattern ! See the lovely 
virtue, which ought to beautify your character, and to 
pervade your studies, your preaching, and your pastoral 
labors. The God of all grace has, I trust, brought you ~~ 
to the feet of Jesus, and. made you partaker of his spirit. 
Carefully cherish that spirit. It will prepare you for ev- 
ery duty. It will give you quietness of mind under ev- 
ry affliction, It will render your preaching and visits 
useful to your people, and your company pleasing and 
profitable to. your brethren in the ministry. Let it be 
your care to grow in the meekness of wisdom ; and make 
all your trials and sufferings subservient to this end. Ban- 
ish forever that proud, irritable temper, which rises against * 
a faithful reprover ; and always consider Aim your best 
friend, who most plainly points out your failings.?— 
Guard, my dear brother, against impatience under reproach- _ 
es. Complain not of injuries. Undergo every hardship | 
for the good of your beloved charge. Care not what you, 
suffer, if you may but secure their salvation, How often 


13 


" soever your kindest efforts are repelled with coldness, re- 
turn to your work with increasing ardor.—If at any time 
your feelings are disturbed,—if any tumultuous passion 
begins to predominate,—if any trouble oppress you, or 
the magnitude of your duty discourage you; look unto 
Jesus. To whom else can you go? Where is a friend, a 
~ guide, a teacher like him? You can find no other perfect 
example. You can aim at no mark so high, as conform- 
ity a py inart ask or desire any greater honor, 
than to be his servant in the gospel, or any 

ward, than to be with him where he is. This is the 
precious reward, which God has prepared for his fa:thful 
servants. ‘ 


— 


Brethren and friends of this church and congregation, 


I do most sincerely congratulate you on this occasion, 
not because you have chosen a minister, but because you 
have chosen one. who, we have reason to think, is’a fol- 
lower of the meek and lowly Jesus,—one whom God has 
set apart for himself. I hope you may safely lock to him 
as your teacher and example; that he will love you and 
your children with pure and fervent love, and be willing 
to spend and be spent for the good of Zion. And now, 
men and brethren, if through the great goodness of God, - 
you have obtained an able and faithful minister, love and 
honor him for his work’s sake, and give thanks to God 
for such an inestimable gift. © If it is the duty of your 
minister to exercise meckness and gentleness towards 
you; itis your duty to exercise the same towards him, 
and towards one another. Let all your conduct be guid- 
ed by the meckness of wisdom. This is the ornament of 
christian society. This yields harmony and peace. This 
makes harmony and peace durable. This prepares men 
to profit by the word preached. This prepares believers 
to maintain order and discipline, and to do much to pro- 
mote the welfare of Christ’s kingdom. ‘The God of peace 
dwell here, and grant, that the light of truth and holiness 
in this church may be so pure and bright, that its rays 
may shine forth to illuminate and bicts Wie sarromntey 
world. 


= 


14 


My respected audience, | were 

~ What mean the solemnities of an odin —Ar 
they intended to announce to you a release from the ob! 
gations of religion, and liberty to spend the day in feasting 
and mirth? No, my hearers. This day stantaiie c 
connexion with the interests of your souls, and the 
day of the Lord, ‘These solemnities teach that 
sinners, under sentence of death, and that God is enga xe 
in a work of mercy for your salvation. © what. mercy, 
that has given you the holy scriptures ; that has appoint 
your sabbaths, erected houses of worship, and coi ecra-* 
ted your ministers ; most of all, that has sent the Lord of 
glory to die for you. 

At the same time, these solemnities forewarn you of 
solemnities, far more august and momentous,—solemni- 
ties, which you must all witness, and in which you must 
all participate. The day of final account is at hand. Ev- 
-€ry ordination,—every sabbath,—every sermon,—every 

rayer,—lessens its distance, and proclaims its: pre 
That day will show you the end of your worldly ple Give 
and your carnal hopes, It will show, how yeu have liv 
ard what use you have made of your réligious pri ileges. 
Then, my hearers, you must have a meeting with aaah * 
isters of Christ. Your Judge will inquire, what have been” 
your feelings and conduct toward them, and how'you have 
treated the messages of his grace which they h have deliv. . 
ered: For that day of final decision, the Lord in mercy —~ 
oe both minister, ‘and people, for Christ's sake. 

MEN 


° 
i 


i oa ‘t 


HYMN. 


_ The effusion of the Spirit ; or, the success of the gospel. 


1 Great was the day, the joy was great, ~ 
When the divine disciples met : 
Whilst on their heads the Spirit came, © 
And sat like tongues of cloven flame. 


2 What gifts, what miracles he gave, 
And pow’r to give, and pow’r to save! 
Furnish’d their tongues with wond’rous words, 
Instead of shields, and spears, and swords. 


3 Thus arm’d, he sent the champions forth, 
From east to west, from south to north; 
“ Go, and assert your Saviour’s cause ;__ 
Go, spread the myst’ry of his cross.” 


4 These weapons of the holy war, 
Of what almighty force they are, 
To make our stubborn passions bow, 
And lay the proudest rebel low ! 


5 Nations, the learned and the rude, 
'« Are by these heav’nly arms subdu’d ; 
While satan rages at his loss, 
And hates the doctrine of the cross. 


6 Great King of grace, my heart subdue ; 
I would be led in triumph too, 
A willing captive to my Lord, 
And sing the vici’ries of his word. 


J 


MEDICAL RECIPES. 


® 
PSS 
* 


2 : 
CANCER. + Py 
Take red ash bark and burn it to ashes on a rock, then make 
lie, and boil it to salts, and when the cancer is raw, pound the 
salts to powder and put a little into it, if there is proud flesh. 


Make a salve of red clover heads, pick them when in full 
bloom, and boil them about three hours, then press them and 
strain the water, then boil it down gently. When about one 
pint, then put it into earthen, simmer it down genily and not 
burn it, then spread a plaster on a linen rag, and apply it to the ~ 
cancer. 


Make a tea of clover heads, and make constant drink, and 
drink nothing else, and wash the sore as often as you dress it in 
thesame. Gather the clover heads when in full bloom, and dry 
them well without dew, if you have need to keep them. 


Make an ointment of fresh butter, simmer the butter ona fire — 
to an oil, then apply it to the sore, round the edge with a feath- | 
er, once in two days, and oftener if it does not heal too fast. 


Take garget berries when ripe, and squeeze the juice out, 
and put it info an earthen pot and set it in the sun, and dry it to 
a salve : then apply it to the cancer on aclean linen rag, if you) 
can get them. ‘ sedi ab 
——- ‘ ae Md’ 


DECLINE. OPERA 


For any person that is ona decline and has a cough, and taises 
blood, buy a bottle of raga balsam, and take five or Six drops at 
a time, and keep gaining, until you can take a tea spoenful at a 
time. Take white coharsh roots, Indian roots, and black alder 

. berries, and make a strong bitter, and put them into new rum, 
equal n quantity, and sweeten it with molasses, and take it 
morning and evening, or at eleven o’clock. Take the above 


mentioned balsam in the morning. ‘ io “ 
oe “i 
One quart of sweet oil faken by a child before they are ten 
years old, is said'to cure the phthisic. Yt hs 
ee : ‘ ¢ : 
Gold thread tea sweetened with honey, is good for the 


Canker ; drink a little, and soak or swab the mouth. 


Fill a barrel with green mullen leaves, then with new ce 
' der, drink it out for the phthisic or asthma, after it is worked. 


Pts 


aM 


” va toe. iu y 


pare: i> 


So 


